Mayor Bang Sehwan: "Designation of 'Alley-Type Shopping Districts' Will Breathe New Life into Local Commercial Areas"

Gwangju City Officially Begins the Process of Designating 'Alley-Type Shopping Districts'
Aiming to Foster Local Commercial Areas and Support Small Business Owners

Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Bang Sehwan) announced on April 18 that it has officially begun the process of designating 'alley-type shopping districts' as part of its policy to promote the sustainable development of local commercial areas and to protect and support small business owners.

Gwangju City Hall exterior. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

The designation of 'alley-type shopping districts' aims to systematically manage and foster commercial areas with a certain level of merchant density, thereby strengthening the self-sufficiency of the local economy.

To be designated as an 'alley-type shopping district,' the area must meet the following minimum requirements: ▲ a total area of no more than 2,000 square meters, and ▲ at least 25 small business stores in commercial zones or at least 20 in non-commercial zones must be clustered together. These requirements are intended to encourage active economic activity among local small businesses and to enhance the competitiveness of neighborhood commercial districts.

Applications must be submitted in person to the Regional Economy Division at Gwangju City Hall by a representative of the relevant commercial area. Required documents include: ▲ an application and consent form for designation as an alley-type shopping district, ▲ a map, lot numbers, and area of the target zone, ▲ a complete list of merchants, ▲ an application for merchant association registration and a list of consenting members, and ▲ a business plan and statement of assets.

Mayor Bang Sehwan stated, "I hope that the long-prepared process of designating 'alley-type shopping districts' will serve as an opportunity to revitalize local commercial areas," adding, "The city government will spare no effort in providing full administrative support to ensure their successful establishment."

Meanwhile, the city plans to use this process to create a local commercial ecosystem that fosters coexistence with small business owners and to continue developing systematic policy support.